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National Bank Notes > North Dakota

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Bowman, First NB, W8976
Fr. 592 $5 1902DB
Grade: PMG EF 40    

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A beautiful Blue Seal that is new to the census. There were 8,583 sheets of Blue Seals printed, in addition to the few Red Seal sheets. This note must have come out with the Red Seals as its margins appear similarly trimmed. Great paper quality and pen signed by James E. Phelan, President and Dugald Stewart, Cashier. James E. Phelan was born at Adrian, Mich., October 2, 1857. He went into railroading when a very young man. He soon received a promotion, becoming division superintendent of the Northern Pacific Railroad. He lived at Mandan, Dickinson and Fargo during his railroad career and was still engaged in active work when he became interested in livestock and land. He was elected as secretary of the state railroad commission in 1895 and held office for four years. His business in the handling of livestock and lands became very large. He established his business headquarters at Bowman and devoted his energy to the building up of the community. He was president of the First National Bank of Bowman. Bowman is the county seat of Bowman County; the population was 1,650 at the 2010 census. The territorial legislature created Bowman county in 1883. In the 1903 session it was eliminated due to a lack of settlement. By official proclamation of Gov. John Burke, it was re-established on June 10, 1907. Bowman County is named in honor of Edward M. Bowman, a member of the House of Representatives from the southern half of the territory. This city was founded in 1907 and named Twin Buttes. It was apparently also called Eden for a time until July 26, 1907, when the post office was established as Lowden. On October 19, 1907 Postmaster Arthur L. Lowden changed the name to Bowman for its county.

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